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The Focusrite Saffire Pro 40: Solve Your I/O Problems Forever

Using the same great preamps that made them famous, Focusrite is ready to solve your studio's I/O problems with the Saffire Pro 40 FireWire audio interface. This 20x20 FireWire interface comes loaded with 8 of the most recent award-winning Focusrite preamps, boasting an ultra-low noise floor and distortion-free performance.

All told, this single-rack-space unit gives you 10 x XLR-1/4" analog inputs and 10 balanced TRS analog outputs, along with S/PDIF and optical digital I/O. With so much I/O, the Saffire Pro 40 makes a great recording interface in the studio, while taking up far less space than a mixer. Or, use it to set up a 7:1 surround mix station at your desk. Whatever you can dream up, this Saffire can handle.

Learn more about the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40:

Everything You Need, Right Up Front

On the front panel of the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, you'll find two XLR-1/4" inputs, with +48V phantom power switches right next door for Channels 1-4 and 5-8, respectively. The Gain knobs for Channels 1 and 2 have Pad and Instrument-level switches, depending on the signal you're running into them. Indepedent Gain knobs are accessible here for Channels 3-8 as well. The Saffire PRO 40 also helpfully gives you two separate headphone jacks with independent volume controls. The Master Monitor volume (connected to outputs 1 and 2) has a Dim and Mute switch right on the front.

...And Everything Else On The Back

On the rear panel you'll find the other 6 x XLR-1/4" Mic/Line inputs, as well as the 10 balanced TRS line outputs. S/PDIF and MIDI ins and outs are on the left, next to the Optical Line In and Out.

Pristine Audio Conversion

All of this I/O sails through Focusrite converters -- featuring JetPLL jitter-elimination technology for pristine audio conversion -- and runs to your computer via one of the 2 x Firewire 400 ports at up to 24-bit/96 kHz resolution. Multiple ins and outs are nothing without rock-solid reliability -- but luckily the Saffire Pro 40 has both in spades.

Extremely Smart Mixing/Monitoring Software

Once you've connected the Saffire Pro 40 to your computer, you can control the interface with great specificity, thanks to the included Saffire PRO 40 Control software. The software gives you a virtual 18 x 16 DSP Mixer/Router that will run with zero latency. It allows you to route the audio of any input and/or output, and follow detailed monitoring visualizers. Overall, the joy of the Saffire is that it leaves much of the specific control accessible on the actual hardware, while saving the finer levels of control for the computer, where a larger visual interface makes the process much more intuitive and simple.

Plug-Ins and Sample Libraries Included!

The Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 comes with the Xcite+ bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, Novation's Bass Station soft synth, and more than a gigabyte of royalty-free samples. The "Mike the Drummer" audio kit also includes a collection of 572 original live drum loops ranging from 79 to 191 bpm, with loop lengths ranging from 1 beat to 4 bars. Beyond that, a gigabyte of royalty-free samples compiled by LoopMasters gives you enough sounds to start making music without needing to lay down a single track of your own!

The included Focusrite plug-in suite provides studio-grade Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins. The Compressor and Gate are particularly excellent, having been optimized to achieve the signature Focusrite sound. The Reverb is based on classic algorithmic studio reverb designs.

Product Description

Focusrite has, over the past decade, built a reputation as the market leader for high quality recording equipment, with is mic-pre technology as the cornerstone of that enviable reputation. The original mic pre, as featured in the early Focusrite Forte console, used rotary switched gain controls and high quality audio transformers. This mic pre is still used by many of the industries greatest producers and is the sound of countless hit records. Today, Focusrite design equipment for a far greater audience, from professionals to amateur enthusiasts, all with varying budgets.

Focusrite's unparalleled preamp legacy forms the foundation of this interface, with eight award-winning Focusrite preamps. These are combined with the very best in FireWire interfacing technology to deliver seamless integration, excellent routing flexibility and future-proof, rock-solid driver stability.

As with the Red and ISA ranges, the mic pre technology found in the Platinum and Saffire ranges is designed to the highest possible standards. They uphold the same wide bandwidth philosophy featured in the original forte console, back in 1989. All Focusrite mic-pres feature custom components which have undergone an intense testing and qualification process. With the facts and figures in, Focusrite designs then have to pass the essential listening stage. Any design can measure well on the test bench, but only a great design can be qualified in the studio. The FET-based design in the Saffire range is no exception, and ensures the same low noise and distortion performance as earlier transformer-based designs. It delivers clarity without colouration and exhibits the signature transparency for which Focusrite have become famous.

Saffire PRO 40 Control, the zero-latency 18 x 16 DSP Mixer/Router software provided with Saffire PRO 40, sets a standard at this price point for audio interface control. It features unparalleled output routing and monitoring, as well as intuitive one-click solutions, a clear and concise mixing layout and large on-screen metering for inputs, outputs and submixes.

Two independent headphone buses are provided, each with their own level controls available on the front panel. A dedicated stereo monitor mix output features pads for improved sound quality when connected to active monitor speakers. An 'anti-thump' circuit protects your monitor speakers from spikes when booting up or shutting down. Front panel controls include a main monitor dial with dim and mute switches, all of which fully integrate with customizable software to cover every possible monitoring need, providing a set of controls for any set-up from basic stereo to full 7.1 surround.

Focusrite's established Xcite+ bundle is also included. The bundle includes Ableton Live Lite, Novation's Bass Station soft synth and over 1 gig of royalty-free samples. Ableton Live Lite 7 forms the foundation of this collection, providing the ideal platform to create, produce and perform. Novation's classic bass synth, 'Bass Station' enables you to create bass and 303-styled patches. Alongside these comes 'Mike the Drummer'; a collection of 572 inspiring and original live drum loops ranging from 79 to 191 bpm, with loop lengths ranging from 1 beat to 4 bars, as well as extended freestyle solo sections. Individual drum hits and REX files are also available.

These drum loops are however, just the beginning. An entire gigabyte of royalty-free samples, exclusively compiled by LoopMasters, provide a selection of loops and samples large enough to satisfy the appetite of even the most demanding artist.

Saffire PRO 40 also includes the Focusrite plugin suite, produced by the same team that who developed Novation's nio FX rack and Saffire PRO 40 Control. They provide the perfect upgrade from your standard sequencer effects with Focusrite Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins, for use in the mix. Each plug-in has a host of presets that provide a reasonable starting point, delivering suitable solutions for the chosen sound source. Having selected a preset, you can then go on to finely tune these settings. The compressor and gate have been modeled on the Focusrite's hardware devices, using the measurement of custom optos to achieve the signature Focusrite sound. (All Focusrite optos are tuned by ear, just like in the old days of analog design, ensuring a faithful recreation of those classic vintage 1960s optical compressors.) With the same signature as the original Focusrite EQ curves. Focusrite's R&D team used state-of-the-art numerical transform techniques to create an authentic response across the entire audible frequency spectrum for this software EQ. The Reverb is based on classic algorithmic studio reverb designs.

All of Focusrite's FireWire interfaces are fully compatible with Thunderbolt using a simple FireWire to Thunderbolt adapter. Focusrite fully supports the use of Thunderbolt with their FireWire interfaces.

Sound:
I've owned and used the Saffire Pro-40 for a little over a year in my project studio to record countless records. The mic-pres are clean with minimal color and among other variables I attribute the Pro-40 to many happy returning customers. Sounds great with microphones such as; Sterling Audio's ST-69, Shure's SM7B-SM57-SM58, The Blue Bird-Spark-Baby Bottle, Se's X1 and many others. Great for drums, vocals, guitar cabs etc... We have since planned on purchasing the Focusrite OctoPre MkII 8-Channel Dynamic mic-pre to add a few more inputs because of how great this interface sounds. This interface will NOT disappoint!
-Nas Briseno.
www. nympro .com
Feature:
Excellent sound using a typical setup with SM57, Mogami cables, Crate GLX1200H Amp Head, G412SL Cabinet and Gibson SG 2005. Software takes a bit to take full advantage of everything it allows you to do. Best feature by fare are the pre's!
Ease of Use:
The only downfall in my opinion are the drivers and bundled software used as a mixer. For someone who's classicly trained on consoles it was rather counter-intuitive (as it turned out I was not the only one who thought so). That aside, once you've learned the software it work seamlessly with Pro-Tools and I think it's a great addition/upgrade for any serious studio.
Quality:
Knobs are excellent quality and feels as sturdy and well built as anything double the price.
Value:
Easily sounds like it's worth double. And that's coming from myself as well as others who have recorded/engineered in million dollar facilities!
Manufacturer Support:
Haven't had to. I think that says something about the quality as well.
The Wow Factor:
Sound quality is amazing and must say it looks damn good sitting in your rack mounts.
Overall:
I've set off to purchase the Octopre MKII because of how great this interface sounds. In other words it sounds good enough to where I went back to Focusrite to get more inputs!

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"THIS UNIT ROCKS!! ITS GOT AMAZING PRE's AND AMAZING FUNCTIONALITY!!"

Sound:
This thing is a BEAST!! Great preamps, much better buy than M-Audio's Profire 2626 or any other interface in its price range. This thing SCREAMS!! Plenty of headroom, plenty of options, super expandable!! BUY IT!!
Feature:
GREAT Pre-Amps, Great Software Mixer, Great Sound!
Ease of Use:
Pretty much plug and play, watched a 5 min YouTube video and I'm captain of this ship now! Really it's that easy to use!
Quality:
Very solidly built, made of metal knobs feel sturdy all jacks are Neutrik dual XLR & TRS! GREAT PRODUCT!
Value:
Like I said BEST INTERFACE in this price range EASILY, I'd pay $700. I've used the Saffire 56, the $1000 version with Liquid Channels, they sound IDENTICAL aside from the Liquid Pres, which by the way ROCK!
Manufacturer Support:
I called Focusrite for an issue I had with shipping, I talked to the VICE PRESIDENT of their shipping department within 10 minuets of being on the phone, they made everything right, right away and mailed me a BRAND NEW unit overnight I received it at my door at 8:30 the next morning!
The Wow Factor:
SEXY, SUPER FUNCTIONAL, SOUNDS AMAZING!!
Overall:
BUY IT, BUY IT, BUY IT!!

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